National Signing Day: Talented classes for Ducks, Beavers include local stars

Twenty-two local high school football players signed letters of intent to play at Division I colleges and both Oregon and Oregon State were effusive in their praise of their 2017 recruiting classes on Wednesday.

Author:
Jared Cowley

Published:
6:36 PM PST February 1, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Twenty-two local high school football players signed letters of intent to play at Division I colleges and both Oregon and Oregon State were effusive in their praise of their 2017 recruiting classes on Wednesday.

It was a good National Signing Day for the state of Oregon.

"We feel really good about our class, every single one of them," said Oregon head coach Willie Taggart. "I think we're headed in the right direction. I feel good about the guys that we added."

One local player, West Linn four-star offensive tackle Alex Forsyth, signed with the Ducks. The Ducks signed 13 four-star athletes and 12 three-star recruits.

National prognosticators were impressed with the Ducks' class, with Scout.com ranking it as high as No. 16. It was ranked 18th by Rivals.com and 20th by 247Sports.com.

Oregon State was also pleased with its collection of recruits. The Beavers signed three 4-star athletes and 19 3-star athletes.

"The people that we took, the young men that we had, we fought like crazy, they stuck with us through some tremendous, tremendous recruiting battles," said Head coach Gary Andersen. "It was like a recruiting cycle like I've never been through with the competitiveness."

Oregon State's recruiting class included a few local players, including Sherwood High School's David Morris and Josh Bowcut, and Central Catholic's Travis Mackay. Morris, a four-star linebacker, garnered high praise from Andersen.

"David Morris is, in my opinion, by far the best player in the state of Oregon this year and it's not even close," he said.

Recruiting services ranked the Beavers' class among the top 50, with Scout and Rivals ranking it No. 43 and 247Sports.com giving it a ranking of 49

Here is a look at the Ducks' recruits who signed letters of intent today. Players are ranked by their star ratings. When a player has conflicting ratings from different recruiting sites, the highest rating will be used.

Here is a look at the Beavers'' recruits who have signed letters of intent so far today. Players are ranked by their star ratings. When a player has conflicting ratings from different recruiting sites, the highest rating will be used.